playlikeworldchamps

You all have so much fun in store. Shopping for clothes is like being a kid in a candy store! When I walk into a "normal" store I still think someone will tell me I am in the wrong place. It's like walking into the wrong rest room!

Besides your nausea, If you are having a hard time drinking Water I just want you to know that is not uncommon for many people. It took me six or more months before I could comfortably drink Water. I found out that water has high surface tension so for me it "stacks up" in my sleeve (or it did I am now 2 years out and drink water normally). But at your stage I felt like even water was getting stuck and could only drink tiny sips. Thankfully I experimented by mixing water with diet cranberry juice, diet ice tea like Snapple, or Gatorade and that would lower that surface tension and I could get my fluids in. Before doing that I was getting close to dehydration but this trick worked.
So while it won't solve all the issues, some people just can't tolerate plain water for quite some time post op. Even my doctor who is very good didn't know this could happen. Fortunately I can now gulp water down again and getting water stuck is only a memory. I hope your difficulties will only be a bad memory for you too very soon!

I am 20 months out from VSG and can eat anything pretty much but a lot less.
Went to Carrabbas monday night and got the small portion of the rose chicken. It was so delicious and even the broccoli was great. And the warm bread first. Wow!
The good and bad news was that I could only fit one small piece of warm bread, 2 bites of my daughters Soup, half the small piece of chicken and 2 pieces of broccoli. I wanted it all! If I wasn't staying in a hotel I would have kept the rest for leftovers. Considering the small portion is under 600 calories and I ate half, I was very very full for less than 400 calories. In fact I rarely have that much in one meal because it makes me too full and I can't drink for a couple hours.
So bottom line. Yes normal food in small portions is enjoyable. Do I eat like that normally. No I don't. I was on vacation. Today I was back to greek yogurt, cheese and crackers, and dense Protein as first food choice.
Also I am one of the rare sleevers that have dumping syndrome if too much sweet stuff I can't tolerate more that 2 bites of ice cream. And dumping limits my addiction to sweets. Sometimes makes me sad but then I remember the 140 pounds I lost and can live with less sugar.

You may have to expand it to non WLS big losers or even to any people looking to get control of their diets and bodies and health such as those fighting diabetes with diet, fitness. Although it would be nice to have enough bariatric patients the number of woman vs men is so high on the female side. Anyone who has lost a lot of weight or struggling with diet and exercise has the same issues with choosing the right foods, exercising etc even if no surgery. They just shouldn't join if they dont want to meet anyone who had WLS! It would sort of be a myfitnesspal for dating.
Just a thought that you may need to think about in future...

It's a little like childbirth. Yes there is pain and the first few days and even weeks are tough and you may wonder "what did I do? I can't eat more than a thimbleful. It hurts to drink water." Eating actually can hurt and you just wish it wouldn't. I do remember wondering if I'd ever get to eat without feeling uncomfortably full or have a stuck feeling. But that was early early on in The first couple weeks or so. Gradually over time I can now eat almost normal just smaller quantities. I can now gulp Water if I want (just not right after eating). It is hard to even remember the early days of pain or frustration with food. So now 20 months out life is very very good at almost 140 pounds down. Just like I can't remember childbirth pain or sleepless nights feeding babies, I can't remember the tough early days of WLS. All I remember now is that I fit in size 12 and am in maintenance! Best decision ever for me.

Latest update. I am 16 months out. I was 307 when I started my pre op diet a week before surgery. I am 5-10 and went from size 20/22w to a 12/14 size. Or 3x to L tops. From 49% body fat to 25%. From 44 BMI to 26.8. I consider myself at goal now. The number on scale doesn't matter. I just want to stay fit.

I am 20 months out from VSG and can eat anything pretty much but a lot less.
Went to Carrabbas monday night and got the small portion of the rose chicken. It was so delicious and even the broccoli was great. And the warm bread first. Wow!
The good and bad news was that I could only fit one small piece of warm bread, 2 bites of my daughters Soup, half the small piece of chicken and 2 pieces of broccoli. I wanted it all! If I wasn't staying in a hotel I would have kept the rest for leftovers. Considering the small portion is under 600 calories and I ate half, I was very very full for less than 400 calories. In fact I rarely have that much in one meal because it makes me too full and I can't drink for a couple hours.
So bottom line. Yes normal food in small portions is enjoyable. Do I eat like that normally. No I don't. I was on vacation. Today I was back to greek yogurt, cheese and crackers, and dense Protein as first food choice.
Also I am one of the rare sleevers that have dumping syndrome if too much sweet stuff I can't tolerate more that 2 bites of ice cream. And dumping limits my addiction to sweets. Sometimes makes me sad but then I remember the 140 pounds I lost and can live with less sugar.

Great news that there is another option to help people I this struggle. Because of its less invasive nature perhaps someday the threshold will get lowered to BMI of 30 and the comorbidity at 35 (and then 30) taken away. 8.5% difference is much better but once 35-45 BMI may need actual WLS to get more significant results. I am not sure if this would have been enough for me as I never needed to be hungry to eat. But perhaps it makes people like I was just after sleeve when I never thought about food at all not just the lack of hunger. (Unfortunate that was temporary for me!)
In any case glad there's another option and it will be out there for those struggling.

I feel absolutely no guilt. Morbid obesity is a disease that needs medical treatment. Traditional diet and exercise has a VERY low success rate with very high recidivism. Surgery is the only reliable treatment with a successful track record. And even surgery may not work if the person is not compliant with the lifestyle changes. There are hormones and metabolic processes at work preventing successful weight loss without the surgery except for the very lucky and dedicated few who succeed on their own (at least for a time)
I look at my sleeve surgery the same way I look at my treatment for breast cancer. I went through a well studied protocol of lumpectomies, chemo, and radiation. I studied the research, actively worked with my oncologists to soak up their knowledge. I didn't take the easy way out then. I took my doctors advice. I did the same for WLS. I studied the research, worked with my surgeon and the nutritionist, and go to the gym and track all my food and try to follow what the research says brings success. To me - in both cases, I did what was required to treat my condition. There is no cure in either disease but there is optimal treatment and I chose the optimal treatment for both diseases for myself. Both diseases can be deadly. This is about health and I treated it as such.

I feel absolutely no guilt. Morbid obesity is a disease that needs medical treatment. Traditional diet and exercise has a VERY low success rate with very high recidivism. Surgery is the only reliable treatment with a successful track record. And even surgery may not work if the person is not compliant with the lifestyle changes. There are hormones and metabolic processes at work preventing successful weight loss without the surgery except for the very lucky and dedicated few who succeed on their own (at least for a time)
I look at my sleeve surgery the same way I look at my treatment for breast cancer. I went through a well studied protocol of lumpectomies, chemo, and radiation. I studied the research, actively worked with my oncologists to soak up their knowledge. I didn't take the easy way out then. I took my doctors advice. I did the same for WLS. I studied the research, worked with my surgeon and the nutritionist, and go to the gym and track all my food and try to follow what the research says brings success. To me - in both cases, I did what was required to treat my condition. There is no cure in either disease but there is optimal treatment and I chose the optimal treatment for both diseases for myself. Both diseases can be deadly. This is about health and I treated it as such.

I feel absolutely no guilt. Morbid obesity is a disease that needs medical treatment. Traditional diet and exercise has a VERY low success rate with very high recidivism. Surgery is the only reliable treatment with a successful track record. And even surgery may not work if the person is not compliant with the lifestyle changes. There are hormones and metabolic processes at work preventing successful weight loss without the surgery except for the very lucky and dedicated few who succeed on their own (at least for a time)
I look at my sleeve surgery the same way I look at my treatment for breast cancer. I went through a well studied protocol of lumpectomies, chemo, and radiation. I studied the research, actively worked with my oncologists to soak up their knowledge. I didn't take the easy way out then. I took my doctors advice. I did the same for WLS. I studied the research, worked with my surgeon and the nutritionist, and go to the gym and track all my food and try to follow what the research says brings success. To me - in both cases, I did what was required to treat my condition. There is no cure in either disease but there is optimal treatment and I chose the optimal treatment for both diseases for myself. Both diseases can be deadly. This is about health and I treated it as such.

I feel absolutely no guilt. Morbid obesity is a disease that needs medical treatment. Traditional diet and exercise has a VERY low success rate with very high recidivism. Surgery is the only reliable treatment with a successful track record. And even surgery may not work if the person is not compliant with the lifestyle changes. There are hormones and metabolic processes at work preventing successful weight loss without the surgery except for the very lucky and dedicated few who succeed on their own (at least for a time)
I look at my sleeve surgery the same way I look at my treatment for breast cancer. I went through a well studied protocol of lumpectomies, chemo, and radiation. I studied the research, actively worked with my oncologists to soak up their knowledge. I didn't take the easy way out then. I took my doctors advice. I did the same for WLS. I studied the research, worked with my surgeon and the nutritionist, and go to the gym and track all my food and try to follow what the research says brings success. To me - in both cases, I did what was required to treat my condition. There is no cure in either disease but there is optimal treatment and I chose the optimal treatment for both diseases for myself. Both diseases can be deadly. This is about health and I treated it as such.

Sounds like you are all pretty early out when the stomach is still swollen. It takes about 6 weeks for that to go down and then over time you will develop more capacity. By a few months liquids are not restricted at all so watch those liquid calories.
Liquids will not stretch the sleeve.
The stomach will stretch somewhat over time but most of the part that was stretchy was removed so you will never be able to eat the volume of solid food that you did before.
I remember in the beginning eating solid meat and chewing forever and praying for the day when it would not hurt to eat after 2 bites. But those are the days when you are losing the most so don't wish it away.
In time you will be able to eat a small entree at a restaurant and feel full but not uncomfortable when eating enough to not feel hungry.
I am 16 months out and can eat everything but portions are what they should be not enormous like my old life. I can eat 4 ounces of steak and some broccoli etc when I got out to dinner. My daughter is happy to eat the rest of the steak. Yesterday when I went out to lunch I had a personal 8 inch brick oven style pizza (left off the end crust). I was able to eat most though focused on the toppings. I felt full after but not uncomfortable. I am in maintenance so fit it into my plan. I will never be eating 3-4 slices of a pizza like my old life. I will never go back for seconds.
Take advantage of your restriction. Choose dense Protein. Stop a bite or two before you think it is enough. Chew a lot and eat slow. These are things I have to remember every day.

I am happy you are using this to spur yourself to good health. However it is my opinion that that guy is a Loser with a capital L. Who is he to judge you. Good riddance! You deserve better at any weight!

I am happy you are using this to spur yourself to good health. However it is my opinion that that guy is a Loser with a capital L. Who is he to judge you. Good riddance! You deserve better at any weight!

I am 5'10" and my highest weight was 315. I am 20 months out and maintaining in the upper 170s now and I think that is where I'll try to stay. Ideally I'd like to get to 173 to have a normal BMI but my body FAT is now 24% and for women my age it is supposed to be 19-28%. So I really do not need to lose anymore. I am 49 and when I turn 50 I think the body fat % recommended is 22-31% or something like that. As you get older you can have a higher percent. So I recommend getting body fat percentage done at your gym before going to too low a weight. You don't want to lose lean tissue. At defeats the purpose of getting healthly. At my last gym checkup I felt bummed at first because I only lost 2 pounds in 4 months. But I actually gained 2 in muscle so that means I lost 4 fat! So don't be ruled by the scale or a BMI chart. Go by clothes size and muscle! Attached are some side by side before and afters. I am now a size 12 jeans (I have some 10s and even 8 in work suit pants) I wear a L or even a M on top.
My doctor never specifies a goal. It's upto the patient. The BMI is an average over a large population. Not really meant for individuals but for statistical purposes. Use body fat percent instead.
 

I am happy you are using this to spur yourself to good health. However it is my opinion that that guy is a Loser with a capital L. Who is he to judge you. Good riddance! You deserve better at any weight!

I am 20 months out from VSG and can eat anything pretty much but a lot less.
Went to Carrabbas monday night and got the small portion of the rose chicken. It was so delicious and even the broccoli was great. And the warm bread first. Wow!
The good and bad news was that I could only fit one small piece of warm bread, 2 bites of my daughters Soup, half the small piece of chicken and 2 pieces of broccoli. I wanted it all! If I wasn't staying in a hotel I would have kept the rest for leftovers. Considering the small portion is under 600 calories and I ate half, I was very very full for less than 400 calories. In fact I rarely have that much in one meal because it makes me too full and I can't drink for a couple hours.
So bottom line. Yes normal food in small portions is enjoyable. Do I eat like that normally. No I don't. I was on vacation. Today I was back to greek yogurt, cheese and crackers, and dense Protein as first food choice.
Also I am one of the rare sleevers that have dumping syndrome if too much sweet stuff I can't tolerate more that 2 bites of ice cream. And dumping limits my addiction to sweets. Sometimes makes me sad but then I remember the 140 pounds I lost and can live with less sugar.

I think this information should "scare" newbies a little bit. I don't say this to paint a picture of despair, as that is simply not the case. I say all this to paint a realistic picture.
According to my surgeon, I have lost 100% of my excess. That is better than typical for someone who started at such a high weight. Maintaining that, makes sense, is a big challenge for me. I spent most of my life obese or overweight so no wonder maintaining a "normal" size/weight is a challenge - but I have been doing just that for 2 years so far - a feat i have never managed before in my life.
One of the smartest things my surgeon ever told me was that years 2, 3 and on to infinity are nearly as important as year "1". I am finding there to be much truth in that and i am not sure most people are forewarned. I mean, it is one thing to say "lifestyle change" and it is quite another to turn that into daily decisions to maintain a huge weight loss.

I was never diagnosed with an ED but I would eat in out of control binges pre sleeve. Maybe not the ones you hear about on A&E type intervention shows but I would have period of times where in about 10 minutes I could consume a couple thousand calories in Cookies, Peanut Butter or chocolate. I was also a stress eater and still am or would be if surgery didn't make me pause and think about what I am doing and if I eat I usually make good choices. Plus I just can't binge with the sleeve. It's not physically possible. I also can't eat too much sugar or I feel I'll. sugar was my drug of choice before and would trigger binging.
In any case, surgery won't cure the ED. so still get the counseling for that. But it does slow you done enough to make better choices. It did for me anyway.

Thanks for writing this ladies. In many ways its similar you your stories. In a nut shell:
1 year. slow but steady with a butt load of stalls thrown in for good measure.
did not quite get to goal.
2 year. Get to within 5 pounds of goal, then lost my way and gained to 22 pounds above goal. HUGE sad face! I took my eye off the ball... I started acting "normal" (eating without being accountable) I had a big eating vacation, to NOLA, I had an injury that kept me down for a few months, I had my mom in law visit for 10 weeks with happy hour every single day.
3 year. Tried several methods to get the 22 pounds off and reach goal. Georgia turned me onto the 5:2, and I managed to get to goal in year 3. Took up birdwatching, walking, kayaking and continued bellydancing... loving a more active lifestyle. Really enjoying dressing up. Half way through year 3, mom got sick, and a pile of not so nice things moved into my life, job, home, relationships, sick and old dear dog.. then mom died. I fell back off the wagon, and just hung on the best I could. My weight started going up again.... and emotional eating and the holidays collided. I finally managed to get the weight gain to slow down and stop.. I started getting the good habits back on track... put my fitbit back on, started using myfitnesspal every day, every meal, every bite.... and started fasting two days a week again regularly. Still a few things I could tighten up... but not to bad. Unfortunately, the behavior that got me through the last push goal do not seem to be working the same way they did the first time.. but I am only 7 pounds from the high end of my goal range, so really thats not TOO bad all in all. My skinny jeans are tight. My cholesterol is up. My Dr says lose the weight, but its going really slow. I know stalls all too well and its not putting me off my task, but its a chore. I consider myself a success. Peoples eyes still bug out when they see me... even after 4 years. I hope I can go the rest of my life this close to goal... I really don't know how easy that will be. If it gets much harder than it is now, I don't know if I can pull it off, but so far so good (without saying it was easy)
I just had my 4 year surgeversary on Jan 19th 2015.

Latest photo. What 120 lbs down looks like for me. Size 24 to 14.
Highest weight 315
Surgery weight 295 on 3/13/13
Current weight 193 on 4/14/14
5'10" tall
Goal is close: 180s BMI around 26.5

Thank you for that. (Check in mail! LOL!) I feel younger. And I am now getting hair colored at salon not out of a box! That's my treat to myself! I'm 48 and I'll be In Better shape at 50 than at 40 or 30! So many young people on here getting sleeve. What a gift to yourselves not to spend 20 years struggling.

I am two weeks shy of 1 year out. I have lost about 115 pounds. here is a comparison shot in same sweater. I used to be. a 3x and 22/24 pants. now I can fit in L and 14
I tied off the sweater like my 14 year said to show diff!

I chose the sleeve. Initially I looked into the lap band because I though the sleeve was not offered/did not really know about it. I thought I only had choice of LB or RNY and thought I wasn't "fat enough' to go to RNY (at 300+ lbs can you spell DE NILE! It's not just a river!)
My PCP advised against the LB and when I saw the surgeon he gave me the overview on all 3. I decided to do the sleeve as a happy medium and because of the ghrelin affect. I also did not really want a port as I had one for chemo and found it very uncomfortable. Really hated it.
Oh well the grehlin affect only lasted a couple months but I persevered and have lost 135+ lbs and am in maintenance mode. It is and will be a lifelong commitment as I try to stay in the 170s which is still 25.8 BMI for my height. But oh well BMI not true measure of success as my BF % is < 24% which is more important. I don't want to lose muscle stupid scale!